To connect with Jacqueline, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Links referenced in this episode: 

• Trump says Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok
• Trump's 75-day extension of TikTok ban falls into 'gray area,' experts say. What to know

Chapters

• 00:00 Welcome to 2025: Reflections and Expectations
• 02:10 The TikTok Ban: Political Performances and Business Implications
• 10:27 DeepSeek: The New AI Frontier and National Security Concerns
• 16:14 DEI Initiatives: A Shift in Corporate Values and Responsibilities

Takeaways

• The TikTok ban felt more political than technological.
• Content creators are significantly impacted by social media instability.
• Diversification of platforms is crucial for creators' livelihoods.
• DeepSeek poses a competitive threat to US AI technologies.
• National security concerns are paramount in tech discussions.
• DEI initiatives are being cut, reflecting shifting corporate values.
• Companies must integrate DEI into their core values, not treat it as an add-on.
• The implications of AI technology are vast and complex.
• Truth and authenticity are increasingly challenged in the digital age.
• Diversity of thought enhances problem-solving and innovation.

Joining us today is Marci McCue, a seasoned content, communications, and marketing professional with over 20 years of experience. As a founding team member and Head of Marketing at Flipboard, Marci has played a pivotal role in shaping the brand since its launch in 2010. She has led the company’s communications strategy, helping Flipboard become a globally recognized platform. Now, as Flipboard embraces the Fediverse, Marci is defining the next evolution of the company and its users' experiences.

In this discussion, we explore what the Fediverse could mean for the future of social media, the challenges and opportunities it presents for brands, and how platforms like Flipboard are adapting. We also touch on discoverability, content moderation, and the shifting landscape of marketing in a more community-driven digital world. Tune in for an insightful conversation on what’s next in social media.

To connect with Marci, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Fediverse and Social Media Evolution
• 02:31 Understanding the Fediverse: A Decentralized Network
• 10:02 The Impact of the Fediverse on Brands
• 14:20 Navigating Challenges: TikTok and Brand Safety
• 20:08 Community and Content Moderation in the Fediverse
• 26:44 Discoverability and Engagement Strategies
• 30:28 Content Moderation and Brand Safety
• 35:05 Creative Marketing Opportunities in the Fediverse
• 37:47 Measuring Success in the Fediverse
• 44:49 The Future of Brands in the Fediverse

Takeaways

• The Fediverse represents a new era of social interaction.
• Brands will have direct relationships with their audience.
• Decentralization allows brands to take back control.
• Content moderation is crucial in the Fediverse.
• Discoverability will rely on community-driven strategies.
• Brands can migrate their followers across platforms.
• The future of marketing will focus on community engagement.
• Creative marketing opportunities will emerge in the Fediverse.
• Success metrics will evolve in decentralized networks.
• The integration of social and commerce will redefine brand interactions.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

To connect with Jacqueline, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Links referenced in this episode: 

• Edelman cuts 5% of global workforce amid restructuring
• Why some Spotify users were let down by this year’s Wrapped: ‘Definitely missing something’
• Omnicom to Acquire Interpublic Group to Create Premier Marketing and Sales Company

Takeaways:

• TikTok's potential ban raises concerns for marketers.
• Brands should prepare for platform changes proactively.
• Layoffs in major agencies indicate a shift in the industry.
• Mergers may lead to redundancies and a focus on corporate communications.
• Audience fragmentation is impacting traditional media outlets.
• Independent journalism is on the rise with niche platforms.
• AI's role in marketing is evolving, with mixed results.
• Spotify Wrapped's reception highlights the importance of creativity.
• Companies must balance AI efficiency with human creativity.
• The perception of AI in marketing will continue to evolve.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Social Media's Impact
• 02:06 The TikTok Ban and Its Implications
• 09:14 Industry Layoffs and Mergers
• 18:30 Spotify Wrapped: AI's Role and User Experience

Joining me today is Dr. Alex Hanna, Director of Research at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR). In addition to her work on AI, Dr. Hanna studies social movements, with a focus on the dynamics of anti-racist campus protests in the U.S. and Canada. In today’s episode, we dive into the societal implications of AI—some you may not have even considered—and explore how people are feeling about it. Are users still excited about AI-powered tools, or is sentiment starting to shift? We’re unpacking all of that and more on the podcast

To connect with Dr. Alex Hanna, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Takeaways

• The focus on existential risk is a huge distraction.
• AI is not a single entity; it encompasses various technologies.
• Generative AI has significant societal implications.
• The harms of AI include biases and discriminatory practices.
• AI's energy consumption is a critical concern.
• Regulation often comes after harm has occurred.
• Collective action is essential for addressing AI's challenges.
• Critical thinking is necessary for consumers to navigate AI.
• The labor market is being impacted by AI technologies.
• The future of AI requires accountability and ethical considerations.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Complexities of AI and Society
• 09:01 Understanding AI: Categories and Implications
• 18:18 The Distraction of Existential Risks
• 23:31 The Role of Regulation and Collective Action
• 37:34 The Future of AI: Critical Thinking and Accountability

Today we are talking all about it with Georgina Cohen from JGS Live. Georgina is the marketing and live executive at JGS Live where she oversees and coordinates behind the scenes operations and production. With a strong focus on delivering seamless and engaging live stream experiences, Georgina collaborates closely with a wide range of brands, tailoring strategies to meet each brand's unique needs. Her role involves meticulous scheduling, detailed planning, and hands-on management of each production. 

Today we're talking all about what goes into a live stream to make it impactful, the behind the scenes planning and management of a production while they are live, some of the considerations for brands to make if they are wanting to get into the live stream scene and why TikTok is the ideal platform for brands to not just access Gen Z but older generations as well. 

To connect with Georgina, click here or here. 

Learn more about JGS Live, here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Takeaways

• TikTok Shop provides access to a wide range of brands.
• Live streaming on TikTok is a new way to sell products.
• Authenticity is key in engaging with TikTok audiences.
• Brands are increasingly recognizing TikTok's potential for growth.
• The shopping experience on TikTok is more personal and interactive.
• Buyers on TikTok often make impulse purchases.
• TikTok's search functionality is user-friendly and effective.
• Maximizing live stream impact requires strategic planning.
• Post-production analysis is crucial for future success.
• Gamification enhances viewer engagement and participation.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Rise of TikTok Shop
• 02:54 Behind the Scenes of Live Streaming
• 06:14 Engagement and Authenticity in TikTok Live
• 09:06 The Evolution of Brands on TikTok
• 12:53 The Unique Shopping Experience on TikTok
• 15:11 Understanding Buyer Behavior on TikTok
• 17:00 Search Functionality and User Experience
• 19:50 Maximizing Live Stream Impact
• 22:44 Post-Production Strategies
• 25:00 Gamification and Viewer Engagement
• 28:18 Generational Shifts in TikTok Shopping
• 30:40 Balancing Production Quality and Authenticity
• 36:51 Advice for Brands Entering TikTok Shop

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Links referenced in this episode: 

X Drops Advertising Lawsuit Against Unilever, But Not Mars, CVS or Ørsted

Instagram Launching Teen Profiles... on LinkedIn

Millennials Enter The Sandwich Era - Flex Work

Takeaways:

• Corporations in the U.S. are treated as people, allowing for boycotts.
• Brand marketers must consider legal implications of budget allocations.
• Political discussions can complicate brand safety and reputation.
• Instagram's teen profiles aim to provide safety but may not be foolproof.
• Parents play a crucial role in guiding teens' social media use.
• Millennials are increasingly responsible for both children and aging parents.
• The financial burden on millennials is exacerbated by economic factors.
• Remote work policies must consider the caregiving responsibilities of employees.
• Social media can have profound effects on mental well-being.
• Brands need to prioritize their values while navigating complex social issues.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Social Media's Impact
• 01:29 X's Advertising Lawsuit and Brand Implications
• 07:34 Instagram's Teen Profiles: Safety or Supervision?
• 19:31 Millennials in the Sandwich Generation: Balancing Caregiving and Work

Joining us today to tackle these questions is Sam Kaufman. Sam is a social media marketing specialist and the Chief Creative Officer at both TikTalk Marketing Agency and DigiHear. With a passion for creating engaging, trend-driven content, Sam has grown a TikTok following of over 1.2 million followers. He leads creative teams in developing innovative social campaigns across platforms for various brands, combining creativity with data-driven insights to help brands connect with their audiences and achieve meaningful results in today’s fast-paced digital world.

In today’s conversation, we dive into the world of TikTok marketing—discussing whether the platform will endure, how brands can safeguard their content investments, when it makes sense to cross-post on other platforms, and when it doesn’t. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in maximizing their TikTok marketing strategy.

To connect with Sam, click here.

Learn more about DigiHear Marketing here.

Learn more about the TikTalk Marketing Agency here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Takeaways

• TikTok serves as a testing ground for brands.
• Creativity is key in TikTok marketing.
• Brands can recycle content across platforms.
• Short-form video is dominating social media.
• Authenticity resonates more with audiences.
• Performance metrics are crucial for success.
• The TikTok ban is a long-standing issue.
• Brands should diversify their social media presence.
• Paid advertising on TikTok can yield better results.
• The future of marketing will heavily involve video.

Chapters

• 00:00 Exploring TikTok as a Marketing Playground
• 02:10 The Journey into TikTok Marketing
• 05:35 Overcoming Hesitancy in TikTok Marketing
• 11:24 Common Misconceptions about TikTok
• 15:31 Brands Thriving on TikTok
• 16:27 Navigating Performance Metrics on TikTok
• 18:54 The TikTok Ban: Current Status and Implications
• 21:20 Future-Proofing Your Brand on TikTok
• 25:10 Leveraging Paid Advertising on TikTok
• 27:04 The Future of Short-Form Video Marketing

So, what are the implications of mental health professionals being online, sharing content, and joining the conversation? How can we ensure we continue trending positively toward mental health awareness and support without reducing it to just another tool for engagement?

Enter Gin Lalli. Gin is a solution-focused therapist, specializing in anxiety and stress. She is the author of the book ‘How to Empty Your Stress Bucket’ and host of the podcast ‘Stress Bucket Solutions’. She's here to share her insights on how the internet is currently navigating mental health. This conversation explores the dangers of misinformation and self-diagnosis in the mental health space, while emphasizing the importance of seeking reliable information and making therapists visible and accessible online. We also dive into the rise of pop psychology on the internet and discuss ways for individuals to build resilience and practice self-care, helping them feel less decision fatigue online and more confident in their day-to-day lives.

To learn more about Gin, click here.

To connect with Gin, click here.

Listen to Gin’s podcast, here.  

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Takeaways

• Mental health awareness has become mainstream, but it can lead to misinformation.
• Pop psychology often oversimplifies complex mental health issues.
• Resilience varies greatly among individuals, influenced by both nature and nurture.
• Choice overload can hinder our ability to find purpose and make decisions.
• Social media can negatively impact confidence by bombarding users with opinions.
• Echo chambers on social media can reinforce misinformation and bias.
• Therapists need to be more visible online to provide accurate information.
• Therapy should be normalized as part of mental wellness, not just for crises.
• Self-diagnosis can lead to mislabeling and misunderstanding of mental health conditions.
• Finding the right therapist is crucial for effective therapy.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Rise of Mental Health Awareness
• 02:01 Navigating Mental Health Online
• 07:08 Understanding Resilience and Individual Differences
• 11:20 The Impact of Choice Overload on Purpose
• 15:56 Social Media's Role in Confidence and Misinformation
• 20:15 The Dangers of Echo Chambers
• 23:53 Finding Balance in Social Media Use
• 30:02 The State of Pop Psychology
• 36:36 Therapy as a Normal Part of Life
• 39:47 Therapists' Visibility in the Digital Age

Headlines discussed in todays episode: 

RTO Mandates: 

• https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/business/hr-payroll/remote-work-statistics/
• https://fortune.com/2024/09/24/amazon-employee-survey-rto-5-day-mandate-andy-jassy/

Executive Visibility: 

• https://www.refinelabs.com/news/personal-linkedin-engagement-vs-company-page

To connect with Jacqueline, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

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Takeaways

• The return to office mandates are becoming a widespread trend among companies.
• Many employees hired remotely are now facing pressure to return to the office.
• Data shows that a significant percentage of workers are more productive at home.
• Companies can save millions by allowing remote work.
• Return to office mandates may disproportionately affect women in the workforce.
• Executive visibility is becoming increasingly important for brand trust.
• Personal connections with company leaders enhance consumer loyalty.
• The future of work will likely involve more flexible and hybrid arrangements.
• Investing in employee visibility can improve recruitment efforts.
• The conversation around workplace flexibility is ongoing and evolving.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Social Complex Podcast
• 01:27 The Intersection of Marketing and Communications
• 02:20 Return to Office Mandates: A New Trend
• 10:32 The Future of Work: Remote vs. In-Office
• 15:12 The Impact of Return to Office on Women
• 25:32 The Shift from Brands to Individuals on LinkedIn

For today's conversation, we have none other than Ethan Wall, founder and president of The Social Media Law Firm, to discuss the evolution of social media law and the need for legal guidelines in the industry. Ethan emphasizes the importance of proactive compliance, especially in areas like sweepstakes and giveaways. He also discusses the legal implications surrounding deep fakes in AI-generated content and copyright issues related to artificial intelligence.

The evolution of social media law has led to the development of various guidelines and regulations for businesses and creators, but our best bet for protecting our organizations and content is to stay informed about what's coming next. In this conversation, Ethan breaks down where our focus should be.

To learn more about The Social Media Law Firm, click here. 

To connect with Ethan, click here or here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Daniel Liebeskind is the founder and CEO of Topia, a platform-as-a-service technology for real-time social interaction and spatial video chat within customizable virtual worlds. Their customers span various industries, including education, game studios, financial services, and software. These enterprises use Topia to help employees feel more connected as a community. From Wall Street to Silicon Valley, Daniel's mission is to foster human connection through technology. Having built offline communities throughout his life, he became an entrepreneur to create software that helps people manage their personal communities. As a product creator and engineer, Daniel has coded nearly 30 applications over the last six years, including community platforms, contact managers, Slackbots, real estate systems, trading platforms, knowledge ecosystems, and games for browser, VR, and mobile.

In today’s conversation, Daniel and I explore virtual worlds and online community-building, especially as we head toward Web3, the metaverse, and whatever else that digital world might become. One crucial topic Daniel addresses is child safety. When we think about open worlds, social media platforms, and the current state of the internet, what are the implications for child safety? How are apps taking steps in the right direction to prioritize this issue when building these communities? Tune in to learn more.

To connect with Daniel, click here. 

To learn more about Topia, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Not only does Matthew bring a keen sense of curiosity to the world of paid media, but he also excels in strategic thinking and seamlessly integrates with our creative team. Matthew’s unique background and innovative approach have made him a great asset on our projects, and I knew his insights would be something worth sharing with the world. Tune in to learn from his experience and discover how he’s navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape. 

To connect with Matthew, click here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Today, I am joined by Kris Perry, Executive Director of Children and Screens. Kris most recently served as Senior Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom of California and Deputy Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, where she led the development of the California Master Plan for Early Learning and Care and expanded access to high-quality early childhood programs. Perry was also instrumental in restoring marriage equality to California following the landmark 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Hollingsworth v. Perry, which she wrote about in her book, Love on Trial.

In our conversation, Kris and I delve into the research she is overseeing at Children and Screens, the mission of the Institute, and the implications of digital and social media on children's development.

To connect with Kris, click here.

Learn more about Children and Screens here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Daniel is a marketing advisor, strategist, founder and mentor making a positive impact. He is a Certified Brand Strategist, college educator, member of the Canadian Marketing Association and a recipient of a 40 Under 40 Award. After graduating from OCAD University, Daniel founded Now Creative Group in 2013, later acquired by creative performance agency King Street Media in 2021, where he is a partner. The agency also launched a content platform and studio called CreatorClub in 2022. As an advocate for social good Daniel continues to run ACCESS, a nonprofit he founded as a student in 2006, which provides funding and mentorship for youth-led initiatives. His latest venture, The Good Growth Company, provides training for social good organizations to upskill their teams and scale their mission.

In today's episode, we are talking about the modern makeup of a marketing team that is supporting lean budgets, primarily around nonprofits. We talk about how nonprofits can utilize the stories within their organization and turn it into valuable content that is bound to drive visibility for their cause and support from the communities around them. We get into some of the common misconceptions as well as common hurdles that these organizations face and Daniel provides his best recommendations on how to handle the curve. He comes with a wealth of knowledge and whether you are in a nonprofit or you are on a marketing team that has had a budget cut in recent years, there's a lot to be learned from this episode. 

Learn more about Daniel, here.

To connect with Daniel, click here.  

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Sharon is the Founder and CEO of Toerek Law (doing business in the marketing world as Legal + Creative), a national law firm focused on intellectual property and marketing law for marketing agencies and their clients. Sharon is a former President of AAF in Cleveland, Ohio and a member of the 4A’s Legal Consultant Panel. She’s a frequent conference speaker on marketing legal issues at industry events like INBOUND, Content Marketing World, Agency Management Institute and the Marketing Artificial Intelligence Institute, as well as to private agency networks including TAAN, Magnet, and Worldwide Partners.

In this episode, Sharon unpacks the legal intricacies of modern case law surrounding AI-generated content, IP ownership, and the brand's rights to content shared on public platforms. Whether you're a marketer, content creator, or just curious about the future of digital ownership, you’ll walk away with valuable insights from this fascinating discussion.

Tune in and get ready to rethink what you thought you knew about content ownership in today's marketing landscape. 

To connect with Sharon, click here.

Check out Sharon’s agency, here.  

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

In our conversation today, we are talking all about moving away from transactional to a relational approach with creators, how brands can leverage their profile to amplify a creator's audience, and how to build these long-term relationships with content creators for brands. I am sure you are going to learn a ton, as I did as well.

To connect with Jeff, click here.

Check out Jeff’s podcast, here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

In this episode, we're talking with Eugene Capon, the creative visionary and co-founder of Studio Capon, a trailblazer in the metaverse creative space. From making waves with his VR talk show, *Glitched*, to authoring a children's book on the metaverse, Eugene's insights are limitless. His expertise in XR and digital media has earned him partnerships with some of the biggest brands in the industry, including Microsoft, AltspaceVR, Skype, and High Fidelity.

We'll dive into the potential of the metaverse, its integration into modern society, and the challenges it may bring, including its impact on mental health. Just as the internet revolutionized our world, the metaverse is poised for another seismic shift. Join us as we unpack what this means for all of us and what we should expect as we stand on the brink of this digital frontier.

Learn more about Eugene here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Join us as we unravel these complexities with our guest, Karen Locke, founder of High Proof Creative. Since 2018, Karen has championed the craft beverage industry with her award-winning branding and marketing agency. Her initiative, Women in Distilling, shines a spotlight on underrepresented voices in the distilling world.

Karen shares her wealth of experience, discussing the nuances of marketing in the spirits category and navigating the intricate balance of creativity and compliance. With nearly a decade in marketing and contributions to publications like GQ and Bon Appetit, Karen offers invaluable insights into what marketers should know when crafting alcohol brands.

Whether you're a marketer, enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of alcoholic beverage marketing, this episode promises a deep dive into what lies ahead. Tune in now to explore the evolving trends and strategies shaping the industry!

To learn more about High Proof Creative, click here.

To connect with Karen, click here or here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

In this premiere episode, Hillary Applegate sits down with Jacqueline Keidel Martinez, a seasoned PR pro, to unpack the transformation of earned media in the digital age. Gone are the days when public relations was merely about shipping products and getting reviews. Today, it's a sophisticated interplay of digital metrics, trending topics, and seamless integration between paid and earned media.

Key Topics Covered:

- Big announcement at Digital HQ

- Evolution of Earned Media: Understanding how the traditional approach of shipping products for reviews has evolved into a complex strategy where digital metrics and trending stories play crucial roles.

- Digital Metrics in Newsrooms: Discover how modern newsrooms utilize digital metrics to gauge success and determine the stories they cover.

- Modern Storytelling: Learn about the contemporary methods of sharing information and talking about products, where affiliate marketing blurs the lines between earned and paid media.

- Crossovers in Communication: Explore the intersections between digital, social, and communications, and how they support and amplify each other.

- Executive Thought Leadership: The importance of storytelling, influencers, and activations in executive thought leadership.

- Personalized PR Strategies: Why taking a stand and personalized pitching resonate more with today's audiences than traditional methods.

Highlights:

- Fast Fashion of Stories: Discussing how stretched newsrooms rely on trending social topics to support their stories.

- Cracking Misconceptions: Jacqueline addresses and debunks some of the common false narratives in the PR industry, emphasizing the need for personalized and audience-focused strategies.

Join us for a deep dive into the power of digital and PR, and discover how to navigate and thrive in this dynamic landscape. Whether you're a PR professional, a digital marketer, or just curious about the intersection of media and technology, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

Tune in and let's start this season with some fun!

In today's episode, we delve into the intricate nature of crisis communications in our digitally savvy and interconnected world with professional crisis readiness expert and leader, Melissa Agnes. Globally recognized as an expert thought leader and visionary in crisis management, Melissa Agnes has collaborated with major players including NATO, The Pentagon, ministries of foreign affairs and defense, financial firms, technology companies, healthcare organizations, cities and municipalities, law enforcement agencies, aviation organizations, and many other industries. In 2020, Melissa founded the Crisis Ready Institute, offering training and certification programs to professionals to better protect people, brands, the environment, and the economy during times of crisis, while also encouraging organizations and leaders to invest in effective crisis readiness.

Melissa is the author of Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World, a book that is taught in dozens of universities worldwide, including Harvard University. It is also ranked among the leading crisis management books of all time by Book Authority and was named one of the top 10 business books of 2018 by Forbes.

To connect with Melissa, click here.

For more information on the Crisis Ready Institute, click here and here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

On this episode, we talk to Zachary Lipton, Chief Technologist & Scientific Officer at Pittsburgh-based Abridge whose generative AI solutions have pioneered the automatic drafting of after-visit clinical documentation. Their technology is already deployed at hospital systems across the nation, where it is helping to combat the physician burnout crisis. Zack is also a widely published AI expert and an Assistant Professor of Machine Learning at Carnegie Mellon, where he directs the ACMI lab, whose research focuses include the theoretical and engineering foundations of robust and adaptive machine learning algorithms, applications to both prediction and decision-making problems in clinical medicine, natural language processing, and the impact of machine learning systems on society. As a subject matter expert, Zach does not hold back and is more than willing to share his knowledge with us here today. 

Read more about Zachary here and here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Kurt Elster is a senior e-commerce consultant who helps Shopify merchants like Jay Leno's Garage uncover hidden profits in their website through his e-commerce agency, EtherCycle. With two million downloads, Kurt is best known for hosting the unofficial Shopify podcast. Today, Kurt and I talk all about e -commerce, his background in the field, and where the first integration between social and shopping actually happened.

To connect with Kurt, click here.

Read more about Kurt here.

Listen to The Unofficial SHopify Podcast here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

We're chatting with Brayden Cohen, who has extensive experience in developing social media, content, influencer, and employee advocacy programs. Brayden has worked with both startups and large companies, including 1Password, Hootsuite, TransLink, Duer, and Lojel. His work focuses on developing social media, content, influencer, and employee advocacy campaigns for disruptive brands to scale and level up their marketing strategies.

Our conversation covers what employee advocacy is, why it matters in the digital age, and how companies can create a culture that supports it. Brayden shares insights on the involvement needed from leadership, the tools and platforms that can help, and the risks and challenges that companies need to consider. This episode offers practical advice for anyone looking to understand or implement an employee advocacy program.

Learn more about Brayden here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Emma is a 20-year-old youth digital advocate seeking to spread digital consciousness and integrate youth voices in conversations regarding tech. In addition to her advocacy efforts, Lembke is a third-year rising political science major at Washington University in St. Louis. She is the founder of Log Off, a youth movement founded in 2020 to uplift and empower youth to tackle the complexities of social media and its impact on younger generations. As a youth-led movement, Log Off provides an often overlooked and critical perspective on social media by leveraging and empowering the underrepresented experts in the field: Generation Z.

Today, Emma and I talk all about the implications of social media usage, how going completely cold turkey online is not only unreasonable for a lot of people but unrealistic, and tools and tips that anyone and everyone can use to help build a safer, smarter, and more intentional relationship with social and digital media.

Check out the Log Off Movement here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Emily Vogels is a research associate working on internet and technology research at Pew Research Center. Much of her recent work has been focused on teens' digital lives, the tone, and tenor of online discourse, and the digital divide. Join us as we talk about the studies that have been produced around teen usage of digital media and that of adults as well. Let's get into it.

Check out Pew Research here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

In this episode, we are diving into the phenomenon of social media babies becoming aware of their social media presence online, some of the dangers and pitfalls that are associated with it, the legality behind whether or not your child has the right to delete their social presence once they turn 18, and the laws that are following that sentiment. Also, monetization of kids and whether or not they are entitled to compensation and the difference between doing it for the likes and doing it for the connection. 

Read Kates's article here.

Check out the Embedded newsletter here.

Connect with Kate here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Katie's journey began in traditional sales but quickly evolved as she sought out innovation. She made a bold move into the world of e-commerce, assisting major consumer packaged goods companies in developing their online shopping experiences with the customer at the center of it all. Through this experience, Katie developed a passion for working with direct-to-consumer startups and B2B digital products. Her expertise lies in helping teams build effective strategies that prioritize lean approaches, rapid learning, and customer-centricity.

Join us today as we talk all about Katie's story exploring her unique career path and valuable insights that she has gained along the way. 

Find Katie on LinkedIn here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Today, we are talking with Madison Long. Madison is joining us from Clutch, where she drives the company's vision of building a world where authentic, engaging work supports a more sustainable, equitable lifestyle. Her passion for entrepreneurship and helping the next generation thrive began in childhood including spending her high school summers creating a math mania programmatic instruction class for middle school students in need and working with youth advocacy programs in college. Prior to Clutch, Madison was a program development and analytics lead at Lean In, where she led multiple initiatives, including the foundation's 2020 Women in the Workplace Report along with their first project focused on empowering youth girls. Madison's overall goal is to create opportunities for the next generation to thrive in life and work. 

In today's conversation, we cover the gamut when it comes to content creation. From the business side of becoming a content creator, how organizations are scaling their content creation efforts, and also some of the safety concerns around programs, platforms, and the next generation of content creators. We talk a bit about what is out there with regulations, kids communicating online, and how we can keep their safety front and center. We get into a lot of different areas and categories that are fascinating to me, and I hope they are fascinating to you as well. Let's get into it.

Learn more about Clutch here. 

Check out Madison on LinkedIn here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

His career has been driven by curiosity and focused on change. Caleb led one of the largest digital programs in existence, including the most followed Twitter account in the world, @BarackObama. But his decades of experience in change leadership, digital innovation, and social impact don't just include work in government and politics. Now, as the co-founder and managing partner of 18 Coffees, an innovation consulting firm, Caleb helps businesses with a mission to get a foothold in the future, using his professional experience to solve impossible problems and bring new ideas to life. His new book, "No Point B: Rules for Leading Change in the New Hyper-Connected, Radically Conscious Economy," is available in all major bookstores.

Caleb and I had a blast today. We delved into many philosophical questions about the nature of social media and its implications when it comes to political climates. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. I firmly believe that, regardless of which side of the political spectrum you are on, there is a ton of value in this episode and a lot of introspection to be had.

Check out Caleb’s website here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Joining us today is the founder of GummySearch, an audience research tool for Reddit. His name is Fed Folio, and Fed has founded not just GummySearch, but also Hive Index, which is a catalog for a variety of topics and various communities within Reddit to help you find communities that matter most to you and your interests. Fed and I get into some nitty-gritty topics specifically around the culture that is found on Reddit, how brands have continued to struggle to find their footing in the Reddit communities, how founders can show up authentically, and how organizations can tap into the endless amount of qualitative and quantitative data that their customers are sharing about their brand, about their industry, and about their world today. 

Buckle up and let's get into it.

Check out the Gummy Search platform here. 

Follow Fed on Twitter here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

The concern initially arose in 2020 during the Trump administration, and today we are joined by journalist Paige Leskin, who closely covered that period. Paige Leskin specializes in writing about online communication, the culture of internet users, and the businesses behind social platforms. Her work has been featured in publications such as Business Insider, USA Today, Inverse.com, and PIX11 News.

During our discussion, we delve into various aspects of TikTok, exploring the potential for a ban and the implications it would have on not just TikTok itself and social media but also on the future of technology, the global economy of data sharing, data privacy, and ultimately, how we connect with one another and our communities. There is much to unpack, so, as I like to say, let's get into it

Check out Paige’s website here.

Follow Paige on Twitter here. 

Follow Paige on LinkedIn here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Jera is a TikTok expert, an in-demand speaker, and a seasoned content creator. She leans into her extensive background in content creation and strategy to help teach people and brands how to harness the power of their secret sauce and show up authentically on social, helping them generate engaging content that converts followers and fans into customers and clients. When she's on stage, she brings an unparalleled level of energy and engagement while breaking big concepts down in actionable and bite-sized ways.

Jera has created bespoke education sessions and led training for well-known brands such as Estee Lauder, Adobe, AT&T, and TikTok, while also educating and empowering brand ambassadors for businesses in the beauty and lifestyle industries. As a content creator, Jera has grown her TikTok following to 1.5 million followers, and her Instagram community to 187,000 followers.

First, we're gonna talk about the early days of the workout bean that Jera was and how I found her back in 2015. She also opens up and shares about her journey from fitness influencer, content creator, and brand ambassador, to education. We're also talking about the crossover between creative content in brands and also that of brand ambassadors, how organizations can tap into their brand ambassadors even better, and actionable ways to make social media content more engaging, higher converting, and all-around more you. 

Jera is incredible and her career thus far is inspiring, to say the least. Everything that she has accomplished and all that she is sharing on the podcast today is just an example of how much of a professional badass she is in this space. So there's a lot to unpack here. I hope you buckle up, tune in and enjoy the episode. 

Check out these freebies from Jera -

• Transform your social media with these 10 evergreen video ideas 
• Learn how to trendy edit

Follow Jera on social: Instagram | TikTok

Learn more about Jera here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Amanda DePaul is the founder of Mythodical, a consulting agency helping B2B companies modernize demand gen to more closely align with today's buying process. She is passionate about ditching old-school lead gen tactics in favor of developing creative acquisition strategies and delightful customer experiences along with measurement techniques to match. In this conversation, we talk about the transition of DemandGen in a technologically booming world, what it means to retire the third-party data cookies that are coming down the line and how organizations are going to be marketing in light of that shift, and the importance of moving away from a downloadable funnel cycle into an experiential customer serving mentality.

Learn more about Amanda’s Agency, Mythodical here.

Connect w/ Amanda on LinkedIn here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

From national security concerns to the app's impact on pop culture and content creator marketing, TikTok has made headlines for the last 3 years. The app has been adopted by over 150 million US users, but has faced scrutiny about its ties with Chinese government and concerns on the collection and sharing of American data in an increasingly tense geopolitical climate.

In April 2023, Montana because the first American state to proceed with a bill that would ban TikTok in the state, which if endorsed by Governor Gianforte, would wipe the app from Montana users phones by January 1, 2024.

What is the real impact of a ban of an app like TikTok? Will it actually be removed from US app stores and cut off from users? If so, what are the implications for users, brands, creators and other apps? How will marketing teams view the viability of social media - and how should they?

Lots to cover in this episode. Let's get into it.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Guys, we are turning one. That's crazy!

This time last year, I was walking the floors of the Austin Convention Center, listening to the best of the best from South by Southwest and launching this podcast. It's bananas to do a launch when you're at an event that is taking up all of your time, energy, and soul. But it's been a wild ride. And it has been a big learning curve.

I have loved recording this podcast and hosting the guests. I have loved connecting with you all virtually. And I cannot thank you enough for inviting me into your cleaning sessions, into your workout sessions, into your driving sessions, wherever you are listening to this podcast and enjoying these episodes. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

On today's episode, I’m reminiscing and sharing an exciting announcement about the Social HQ brand.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Rachel Woods is a leading voice on applying AI in practical and useful business applications. Her expertise spans large-scale systems from her time as a research data scientist at Meta, to applying AI in the most niche of spaces from her journey founding and building an AI-enabled e-commerce platform for artisan wineries. Now, Rachel is building The AI Exchange with the mission of helping people use AI to its fullest in their work, products, and life.

In this episode, we are exploring the impact of AI on our world, our society, and our workforce. We are exploring how the industry was before the current hype, discussing the ways that AI is changing the way we search for and discover information online, and examining how jobs will be impacted by this technology.

As AI continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, its important to understand its potential implications for society. Will AI completely change the role of traditional search engines? What does the future of the workforce look like with AI in the mix? These are just a few of the questions that we are gonna be answering on today's podcast. Let's get into it.

Join Rachel's Free Newsletter here.

Become a Member here.

Get 50% off your first month with code: SOCIALCOMPLEX50

Follow Rachel on TikTok here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

There is no one better to get into the nerdy ooey gooey stuff of why humor and branding work so well than Allie LeFevere. Allie is a branding expert in the co-founder of Obedient, an agency that specializes in humor to connect brands with its audiences. With a background in advertising and a passion for comedy, Allie brings a unique perspective to the world of branding, helping companies develop their voice and create content that resonates with their audience. She shares her experience with the science of humor and the power of storytelling to drive engagement and build brand loyalty. She has been featured in a variety of media outlets including Forbes, Inc., Adweek, and Fast Company, and is a frequent guest on a handful of industry podcasts. 

With a witty and irreverent style, Allie is known for her ability to make complex branding concepts accessible and entertaining. She helps brands harness the power of humor to create meaningful connections with their audience and drive long-term success. Allie does not hold back on sharing her incredible knowledge and a robust amount of experience in the space in this episode and we are so grateful for it. Let's get into it.

To connect with Allie, click here. 

Check out Obedient Agency here.

To stalk the Fangasm Podcast, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Noami Grevemberg is a van life OG, avid outdoorist, digital nomad and dog mom, living on the road in her classic Volkswagen Vanagon since 2016. She’s the founder of the Diversify Vanlife community organization author of the upcoming book, Living the Vanlife.

In this episode, Noami and I discuss the decision to take life to the road, her transformation from marine biologist to content creator, and how social media has supported community building for other road warriors like herself. We talk about how the van life community has evolved since pre-2020, with an influx of remote workers hitting the road, and how diversity on the road has shifted over the last few years.

We speak about how road life is portrayed online versus the reality, examining how social media is great for promoting various ways to live your life, but sometimes can be a highlight reel rather than a realistic data point. Noami brings a fresh perspective to the community of van life and her community within Diversify Vanlife that she’s building, and they’re just getting started. Let’s get into it. 

To connect with Noami, click here. 

To follow @Diversify.Vanlife, click here. 

To learn more about "Living the Vanlife" Book, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

And to help us understand the market, we're bringing in someone responsible for the hiring of top-shelf talent in the industry.

Kelly Gordon is a principal marketing agent for Creative People, a human-first recruiting firm for both clients and talent to help build best-in-class product, design, and marketing teams for the world's most disruptive startups. With over 38k followers on LinkedIn, Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to candidates and hiring managers in the social market to keep an eye on how this fast-paced industry is shifting, and what roles need to be filled to stay ahead of the curve.

Before finding her dream job at Creative People, she tried her hand in Creative Services through Agency Life and Fashion, and dipped her toes into the startup world. It took her a bit of time to figure out what she loves doing, but she now gets to work with incredibly talented Brand, Content, and Social marketers to help them find their dream jobs at some of the most disruptive companies in the country.

Kelly and I get into the nuts and bolts of how organizations are staffing and structuring social media teams, the diverse portfolio of roles out in the market, how social media in organizations has shifted since 2020, and what the future holds for candidates and brands in the business.

To connect with Kelly, click here. 

To learn about Creative People, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Today's conversation is for our business owners who are on the path to growing and scaling. We're talking all about early-stage entrepreneurship, finding where your passion meets your purpose, and how the power of creativity can unlock new levels of visibility for your brand.

Neysa and Tabari join us in today's episode to show the power of developing creative with purpose. The husband and wife duo behind Ginger and Carrot Productions, they combine creative direction with photography and videography to empower brands to authentically tell their stories. They are also the hosts of The Sensitive Business Podcast, a space where they have conversations with other creative professionals on how they’re able to be their whole selves in the work that they do. 

Ginger and Carrot Productions is a predominantly women-operated organization whose mission is rooted in inclusivity and culture expansion. Neysa and Tabari love high-vibe energy, bold colors, and creative partnerships with trailblazing brands that think outside of the box.

To connect with Neysa and Tabari, click here. 

To follow Ginger and Carrot on Instagram, click here.

To listen to The Sensitive Business Podcast, click here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

But Bennifer walked so Alix Earle could run - thanks to new generations, evolved technology, and a rapidly shifting social environment, the celebrities of our modern world are changing.

In this episode, I'm joined by Affiliate Marketing Extraordinaire Andy Hohl, who managed Brand Partnerships and Sales with MagicLinks. His experience with talent agencies in LA to affiliate and influencer marketing in Miami gives Andy a unique view into how influencer marketing has been inspired by celebrity partnerships, as well as where the two differ.

He provides his perspective on the future of social media celebrities, and how this digital medium gives audiences an exclusive look into the lives of those admired by society. We explore celebrities-turned-influencer and influencers-turned-celebrity, and how these worlds continue to collide and shape the future of both industries - all fueled by social media.

To connect with Andy, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

She founded and scaled an entertainment startup to eight figures before exiting, and she is the former Chief Experience Officer of Experience.com. Forbes said of her debut book, Creating Superfans, “If you have customers, you need this book. Period.”

In this episode, we discuss what it means to be a super fan, how organizations can get more of them, and how social media has amplified the ability to foster communities of fans that are excited to share, promote and buy from your brand.

This episode is jam-packed with advice, stories, and perspectives to challenge the easy way of marketing and operating a business. Tune in to learn from Brittany here.

To connect with Brittany, click here. 

To get your copy of Creating Superfans, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Phil Walton is Snap AR Creator Ambassador, whose work was featured on the Super Bowl, Saturday Night Live, Nickelodeon, Late Night Talk Shows, Viral Tweets, and Japanese Music Videos. His creations have been enjoyed around the world, with over 6.8 billion views. His distinctive style has become the favorite of Twitch streams, Zoom calls and social media content around the globe, with users spending 1,470 years of time using his Lenses in Snap Camera alone. He’s the author of two books, The Ultimate Guide to Snapchat and Creator’s Guide to Snap Inc,’s Lens Studio. Phil is also the owner of his own Social Augmented Reality development company, The Augury.

In this episode, we dive into the world of AR on social media, and how this creative outlet took Phil down a new career path, how creators of AR build a portfolio and monetize their creations. We discuss the state of copyright on creators in this growing space, as well as opportunities for how brands can elevate their customer experience with AR anytime, anywhere. 

To connect with Phil, click here. 

To see the iconic potato filter, click here.

To view the custom Snapchat filter from Phil for this episode (The Social Butterfly), click here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Bridgett Price is a Cleaning Guru and Co-Owner of Maideasy, a maid service company based in Phoenix, Arizona. She holds a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix, specializing in digital and traditional marketing, and made the pivot into Maid Easy after years in Corporate America. She is also the podcast co-host for Entrepreneurs in Progress, a show born out of bringing entrepreneurs together to share stories of triumph, failure, and lessons along the way. 

Our conversation gets into the power of learning and connecting with leaders on LinkedIn, how to cut through the sales bro clutter online, and navigate hustle culture messages to avoid burning yourself into the ground. Tune in now.

To connect with Bridgett, click here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Here's what the data shows:

• 96% of job seekers use social media when conducting a job search (CareerArc)
• 49% of professionals follow companies on social media to stay aware of job opportunities (LinkedIn)
• 81% of jobseekers want to see job opportunities posted to Facebook (Link Humans)
• 78% of recruiters expect social media recruiting activities to increase (Jobvite)
• 46% of companies said social media recruiting investments are a focus in 2020 and beyond (Jobvite)
• Instagram recruiting more than doubled between 2017 and 2020 (Jobvite)
• Nearly 40 million people search for jobs on LinkedIn each week (LinkedIn)
• 71% of U.S. hiring decision-makers feel that looking at candidate's social media profiles is an effective way to screen applicants (Express)

Today, we're going to be discussing how to leverage the power of social media to take your recruitment efforts to the next level. We'll be chatting about the distinct difference between using social to keep great employees engaged while drawing the attention of key networks to open positions at your company. Take a listen now.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

She is the author of the New York Times Best Selling book, “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence” where she explores the problem of compulsive overconsumption, including digital products, and how to achieve balance in a dopamine-overloaded world. She also previously published “Drug Dealer, MD – How Doctors Were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It’s So Hard to Stop” which explored the impact and implication of prescribers contributing to the opioid epidemic (Zuger, 2018). 

Dr. Lembke appeared on the Netflix documentary “The Social Dilemma”, an unvarnished look at the impact of social media on our lives. Dr. Lembke has testified before Congress and consulted with governors and senators from Kentucky to Missouri to Nevada. She has been a featured guest on Fresh Air with Terry Gross, MSNBC with Chris Hayes, and numerous other media broadcasts. She continues to educate policymakers and the public about causes of and solutions for the problem of addiction.

In this episode, we explore the impact of dopamine on the addiction of social media. Dr. Lembke provides examples of how access to social media has opened up opportunities for negative behavioral side effects, how users can protect themselves to engage in social media wisely, and what precautions apps should take to lessen the risk of addiction among their users. Let’s get into it. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

What are the rules and regulations they need to know? How can influencers protect themselves when partnering with cannabinoid products? Is there a risk in posting about CBD? We're answering all these questions and more in today's episode.

Today we’re joined by attorney Amanda Conley, founder of Conley Law Firm in Oakland, CA. Amanda R. Conley is a co-founder of the International Cannabis Bar Association. She helps creative entrepreneurs across a variety of industries protect, leverage, and enforce their intellectual property. She specializes in helping clients navigate highly-regulated industries such as cannabis, hemp, dietary supplements, and emerging technologies. She also advises on advertising, marketing, website, and labeling compliance.

Amanda brought so much insightful information to this episode and shared tons of data on the reality of the industry along with predictions for what’s to come. Let’s get into it. 

To connect with Amanda, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

• Facebook and Doordash partnering up to make Facebook Marketplace local deliveries accessible across the country.
• Facebook losing steam on its long-standing place in the US Apple Store Top 10 Apps.
• YouTube Shorts entering the short form video content race with the addition of watermarks on downloaded videos.

We're discussing each story, its impact on apps today, and what implications this will have on the future of social media. Let's get into it.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Sarah is a serial entrepreneur, creating businesses to solve problems she runs into in her real life. This includes the business Famtography, which delivers prompts and tips to families that notoriously forget to get pictures of each other in a way that captures more memories and less unflattering angles. 

In this episode, we discuss the grind of entrepreneurship, mental health highs & lows, as well as how Sarah went on a social media break to give her time to recover, realign and recenter herself. There’s so much to discuss. Let’s get into it. 

To check out Life Lapse App Stop Motion, click here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

In this episode, Hillary will share some expert insights on what to expect for the holiday season and how brands can get ahead of the seasonal madness. We'll be exploring various timelines and tips for your organization to reach your customers where they're at and when they're there.

Plus, it's so dang hot outside. You can't blame us for wanting to bring on some snow dreams.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Victoria is a hair and makeup artist who started creating content years ago under the app Musical.ly, which is now known as TikTok. Victoria offers a refreshing look at the realities of sharing your life online as a creator, opens up about her own personal journey navigating the balance between the real world and curation, and shares encouraging perspectives for creators everywhere.

You will walk away with an idea of what it’s like to walk in a creator’s shoes, how creators can negotiate more effectively with brands, and how to navigate your own line on how much of your life you’re willing to share online. Let’s get into it. 

To connect with Victoria on TikTok, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Social media is an organization’s first line of defense when it comes to customer relationships. It offers visibility into your company’s offers and services, provides a forum for discussion, and attracts feedback publicly and privately. 

And if you’re not actively approaching social media through a lens of customer service, you’re missing out. Whether you’re on social media or not, your customers are. And they’re talking about you. And not just to your face.

So how can we infuse better customer care into our social media approaches?

Join Hillary as she explores traditional customer service practices that serve brands well online, including stories of how it can go right and how it can go very, very wrong. You will walk away with a handful of tangible tips and considerations to infuse into your content mix, and hopefully rethink social media as a simple content exchange tool. Let’s dive in.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

She is currently conducting a three-year study funded by the National Institutes of Health to follow middle school students and their parents during a critical developmental period to determine longer-term health and wellbeing effects of social technologies, including smartphones, social media, YouTube, and gaming. A key goal of this project is not only to prevent negative health effects of social media use, but also to harness its potential to increase connections with other people and communities through the exchange of social and emotional support and opportunities for civic engagement.  

Linda dives into what the research is telling us about the impact of digital media on teens and tweens, as well as what we may be seeing in the future from these digitally engrained generations. This interview shifted my own biases perspectives on the future of the social space, and I hope you enjoy some takeaways of your own. Let’s get into it. 

To connect with Linda, click here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

We discuss how BeReal is standing out among the competition by leaning into authentic connection, minimal design, and tight community. We also talk about the pros, cons, and market influences that will either make or break this platform. Hillary also shares her thoughts on how consumer behavior today may predict future evolution of the app to keep it interesting and relevant for modern users. Fun stuff, right?

To download the BeReal App, click here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

We’re diving into the Sprout Social Index Report XVIII this episode. Sprout Social releases this research every summer, filled with reports, research and insights intended to shed a light on the complex world of social media.

Hillary walks through insights that stand out to her, some that may be worded better than others, and her overall takeaway from the state of social media.

Thanks to Sprout Social for releasing this important report each year.

To download the report, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Today we’re sitting down with Jacqueline Keidel Martinez (Jak), who is the dog mom of Rey the Pitbull @reythepitbull. Jak started Rey’s Instagram account 6 years ago and has steadily grown the page to nearly 60,000 followers through sharing authentic moments and cute snaps of her pup. In this conversation, Jak gets honest about the reality of managing an influencer page, the pet community online, how brands can better engage with their buyers through petfluencers, and the challenges of limited time and resources when growing a following online.

Whether you’re wanting to turn your pet into an influencer, a brand manager curious about working with pet influencers, or just a listener with a curiosity about this niche community, this episode is packed with valuable wisdom. Let’s get into it. 

To connect with Jak & Rey, click here. 

Check out Jak & Rey's story on Dodo here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

And for those who are tied to the day, whether it be through a loved one who was killed while on duty, or a family history deeply rooted in past wars, it can be an incredibly difficult day.

And because we’re imperfect humans who make honest mistakes, sometimes we say things like “Happy Memorial Day” when, in fact, to the people who this day matters the most, is anything but happy.

So for our brand managers out there wondering “how do I post on Memorial Day?” Here are some options for you. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

And don't be fooled - this career track isn't for the faint of heart.

If you’re just starting out, have been interested in pivoting into social media as a career, or are just generally curious about the various paths in the profession, this episode is for you. We’re going to be talking about:

• The history of the social media industry
• Hillary's personal experience working in social media
• Different specialties within the social stratosphere
• Key differences between working in an agency, for a brand exclusively (known as in house), or as a freelancer
• How to stand out in the hiring process
• Which education and experience matters most

You'll walk away with tangible tips, perspectives, and considerations for you to keep in mind as you build your career in this space.

You'll also hear firsthand how to stand out in the interview process and how to approach social media in a strategic way rather than a tactical one.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

The decision came a day after a separate settlement happened between Clearview AI and civil rights group ACLU, which was brought forth in May 2020. The suit was originally filed in Illinois which had strong regulations that limit the usage of facial images, fingerprints, voiceprints, and other identifying biometric information that can be collected shared, and stored.

In this episode, we explore what implications this ban has on the future of biometric data usage, if Illinois and Texas will get their filters back soon, whether other states should be concerned, and the crossover between state privacy laws and consumer social media access.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Wunderkeks is an Austin-based baked goods company specializing in cookies and brownies. Led by Guatemalan owners Luis Gramajo and Hans Schrei, Wunderkeks has evolved from a business that served “everything to everyone” to finding their niche, voice, and brand.

"The purpose of our product is to bring joy and to make people feel like kids again," Schrei says. "This is implicitly baked into the DNA of the brand--no pun intended." - INC. Magazine, 2022

Hans and Luis open up about their journey from Guatemala to the United States, the realities of being gay men in today’s world, the transformation of their company over the last decade, and how they found their brand ethos and brought their creative branding “out of the closet”. 

We get into the importance of being authentic in your business, why the fight for queer representation in business and culture remains imperative, and how digital media and social media transformed their company in 2020, including a well-timed retweet from actress Busy Phillips that shot their business into e-commerce. They have been featured on the Today Show, Business Insider, Inc. Magazine, and even in the bags at this year’s Oscars.

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, e-commerce success, LGBTQ+ allyship, and building a brand rooted in purpose… this is the episode for you. 

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To connect with Wunderkeks, click here.

To purchase the best cookies of your life, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

The story of how this deal came to fruition is fascinating. Not only is it a massive deal for one of the most popular social media networks in the world, but it also took place on such a public scale that the world got a front-row seat to a slice of how the deal shook out. We don’t always get such an intimate look at how strategic communications can make or break a deal like this.

Musk has been an anomaly on the platform. Users are never quite sure if he's being serious or facetious, which leaves the general public confused on how to respond to his hot takes. His tweets have historically thrown the stock market through a loop, gotten him in legal trouble, and even used the power of Twitter to help his takeover.

In this episode, we explore how Musk used social media leverage to serve his deal and answer core questions: how did this happen, what were some indicators that this was going to happen, is it a shady practice and how is it going to impact the future of social media?

Let's dive in.

Detailed Show Notes can be found here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Millennials were both the last generation that grew up without the internet and the first digitally native generation. Generation Z consists of the first connected kids who never knew the world without the internet. Technology has become a core differentiating factor for each generation, in how they use, adopt, communicate and rely on mobile and web devices.

And just like each generation approaches the world differently, they also approach social media differently. But how has technology defined each generation, and what can we predict about future generations’ adoption of digital media in the coming decades?

Enter: Meagan Johnson.

Meagan Johnson is a generational expert and humorist. With 25 years of experience studying and speaking about generational differences, she brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding about intergenerational dynamics. She has worked with countless brands and organizations to help break down the cross-generation conflicts in the workplace, helping leaders to better understand and communicate with those who approach the work environment differently than they have in the past. 

During the 1990s, while working for companies like Quaker Oats, Kraft Foods and Xerox, Meagan often heard negative comments about Gen Xers. Things like “they’re all slackers,” “gold collar workers,” and “it’s the Beavis and Butthead generation” were not uncommon.

Being a Gen Xer herself, Meagan knew those terms were unfair, untrue and hurtful so she began researching small and large businesses to debunk generational myths and discover the most effective ways to solve multi-generational clashes. That research gave birth to thousands of generational presentations and to her best-selling book” Generations Inc., From Boomers To Linksters Managing the Friction Between Generations at Work”.

She has been quoted by Chicago Tribune, CNNMoney.com and US News & World Report, she has been heard on ABC Talk Live, NPR and profiled on Conde’ Nast’s Portfolio.com. 

Meagan gives audiences a chance to not only laugh at their own generation (and the other ones) but flourish in the presence of others. 

In this episode, we get into digital differences of generations today, similarities and differences among the different groups, what we’re seeing with the emerging “Generation Alpha”, and how technology is going to further define generational differences. 

Leave your assumptions at the door and let’s dive in. 

To connect with Meagan, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

In 2022, we’re starting to see slowed growth - but it’s still growing.

So, is it dying? Sure. But not as quickly as you may think.

In this episode, we discuss the rise of the platform, the evolution of its holding company (Meta), and why Facebook remains a viable option for brands today. We challenge perceptions with data, give an idea of what the future will look like in a metaverse world, and talk about the pros and cons of brands who continue to use the platform.

If you’re interested in hearing about the future of Facebook - this is the episode for you. Enjoy!

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Bree brings a unique experience as a digital marketer in big tech with a side hustle as an online thrift shopper. Her weekends are spent hunting for treasure in thrift shops and reselling them online, which is both a passion project and one that’s great for sustainability.

She’s not alone though. With nearly 5M hashtags used, there are plenty of consumers out there who buy their products #Thrifted. Bree has used social media to build community in the reseller community, share her expertise in the space with others, and even uses her social media profile as a “first dibs” space for her most loyal customers.

We discuss our background as college sorority sisters, roommates and friends, talk shop about the parallels between the reseller community and big tech, how this community of loyal resellers navigated the pandemic when in-store shopping came to a halt, and where there’s a missing opportunity in the thrift world for better innovation online.

Bree’s unique experience in both tech and fashion as a marketer and entrepreneur brought some fresh perspectives to this episode. She even name drops some super cool tools that you may not even know existed that are sure to change the shopping experience for all retailers.

Buckle up and let’s dive in. 

To connect with Bree, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

In this solo episode, Hillary snorkels through the various anonymous social media platforms, which are specified as “content or information posted that is not connected with particular online identities or profiles,” according to the good ol’ Wikipedia.

We explore the history of anonymous social, the rise and fall of Ask.FM, the data that tells whether it's good vs. evil, and the general reaction from users about the fact that Yik Yak is back. 

We discuss mental health impact on students, history of online bullying, and other difficult fallouts from the use of anonymous social media. Join Hillary as she explores the nuances of the space, challenges her own preconceptions, and tries to grasp what the future holds for anonymous social media. 

For resources from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Jasmine King is a LinkedIn creator, among many other things. Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Jasmine is a recent University of Kansas graduate who studied marketing. She also is the founder of a social media shop called Socially Hooked. 

She went viral on LinkedIn after creating a resume for her application to Twitter that resembled a Twitter Profile. The creative move sparked over 40,000 engagements and thousands of shares of the post, drawing attention from brand managers and creators from around the world. That post also landed on my LinkedIn Feed, which inspired me to reach out to Jasmine to see if she’d be interested in getting on the mic to talk about her experience on LinkedIn and beyond.

We talk about what it was like to go viral on LinkedIn, how pushing through the fear of vulnerability leads to great content, what Gen Z is missing by not being on LinkedIn, and how to navigate creepers in the inbox. We also explore differences between creators and consumers, how life behind the screen isn’t as glamorous as it appears, and what you can do today to get more out of your LinkedIn experience.

To connect with Jasmine, click here. 

Check out Jasmine’s viral LinkedIn post here.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Think about your community growing up; a local pastor, a teacher with a strong reputation in your small town, a beloved mayor. All of those people had influence over the community and impacted behaviors, beliefs, and actions.

Take that, give them a smartphone with some internet, and you have unlimited potential. That’s the essence of influencer marketing.

In this solo episode, we explore the origins of influencers, how brands choose influencers to work with, fraud in the industry, and FTC rules that influencers need to follow to stay compliant. We discuss the future of influencer marketing and how brands can stay ahead of this rapidly changing industry. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

We discuss various times in social media history that have changed the game, including political elections, algorithms impacting the way people operate, data regulations and how the Covid-19 shut down drastically changed the social media marketing world. 

We also get into influencers and how their profession as creators has evolved over the years, including the transparency of admitting hardships and finding boundaries in the content they create to keep their sanity afloat. 

You’ll also get some insider information about what it’s really like to work in social media, advice for those interested in getting into the space, and how brands can rethink the way they hire for social media teams.

To connect with Maddie, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

We talk about his life growing up as a Vietnamese American, how he got into video editing thanks to YouTube skateboarding videos, and what it’s like to live in the mind of a creator who’s always scouting locations.

Huy has an incredibly unique perspective when it comes to social media. Not only has he managed brand social media and strategy, he infuses his professional experience to build his own creator profile, creating mini vlogs and Reels on his channel to share his passions and interests. He also shares how he used social media to build a new community of friends after he moved to Arizona, and how he took friendships from the internet to the real world.

To connect with Huy, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Her story includes stumbling into success on TikTok, building a business in web design through the pandemic, and finding funny connections via social media — including a weird serendipitous encounter to how we met.

We get into some conversations about the weird relevancy of social media algorithms, parents exploiting their children for clout online, and how she landed an interview with the DuoLingo Owl (who, if you aren’t familiar with, check them out on TikTok ASAP)

To connect with Sarah, click here. 

To read Sarah’s interview with DuoLingo, click here. 

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Subscribe to hear unique perspectives from brand managers, creators, influencers, moderators and memes. Hillary will also share her ongoing perspective as a social media marketer of 10 years with a keen interest in human psychology.

Social media is so pervasive in our lives, whether you’re an active user of it or not. It impacts political change, pop culture, news and beyond. You’re living in the middle of one of the most interesting times in human history where we are more connected than ever virtually. What kind of impact is that going to have on the future?

The answer? It’s complex.

To connect with Hillary, click here. 

Read more about Digital HQ here.

For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM

Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.